INTRODUCTION
This section of the website has been created to address the much
misunderstood and highly maligned world of whiplash, with an emphasis
on the Low Speed Rear Impact Collision (LOSRIC). It has been dealt
with, in depth, in other jurisdictions. Those of us in the field
owe a lot to those such as Drs. Michael Freeman, Ph.D (clinical
assistant professor at Oregon Health Sciences University School
of Medicine Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
as a trauma epidemiologist) and Arthur Croft (San Diego Spinal Research
Institute, www.srisd.com). As two eminent researchers in the field
of whiplash, they quite literally 'wrote the book'. I am humbled
by the amount of knowledge that is being added at an almost daily
basis to this field. Thankfully we have academics like them to assist
the rest of us to separate 'junk science' from that which truly
deserves to be published.
What I am trying to do here is get much more British Columbia specific! All too often far too much emphasis is placed on whether or not there is damage to the vehicle that was struck in the rear. The fact is regardless of there being damage present or not, in a LOSRIC, means very little!
Modern vehicles are designed to absorb low speed impacts. Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 215 is in place to assure modern vehicles are designed so as to maintain functional exhaust systems, turn signals, headlights, taillights, etc, after a LOSRIC. There is NO MENTION of their requirement to reduce vehicle occupant(s) risk of injury!
A LOSRIC is termed an 'elastic' collision, because the majority of the collision forces are transferred to the struck car's occupants. Compare that to a 'plastic' collision in which the car struck from the rear is damaged. When the collision is plastic in nature the collision takes longer to occur (still measured in milliseconds) thereby transferring less force to the car's occupant(s). Therefore, should those with a vested interest in minimizing your chances of being injured focus on the lack of damage to your vehicle, point out that as an elastic collision you are still at risk for injury REGARDLESS of there being minimal/no damage to your car.
Being blunt, generally speaking, lawyers and most health care practitioners,
regardless of discipline, HATE these cases. They are not cut and
dry. It is not uncommon for the patient to receive a general catch-all
'waste basket' diagnosis (re. 'Soft Tissue Injury' or the ever popular
'Muscle Spasm').
EVERY point of note, in this section of the website, is based on peer-reviewed scientific literature, quite literally hundreds of references. Over the years 'junk science' has found its way into the literature and is highly quoted by those who know that most people do not know where to turn to get the true scientific facts, not to mention where to get the references to back them up. Read on!
As you review the whiplash section, of the overall website, feel free to email me should you wish to know the exact peer-reviewed literature for any points of note. Also, I am available should you have any general and/or specific questions about this topic. Email questions directly to me.
A final note, Quadra Chiropractic regularly holds 2-3 hour classes about this topic. They are announced in the general media. Unfortunately, those who could most benefit are all too often not aware of them. If you, or someone you know, would benefit from attending the next one -> email our office and we will be happy to put you on the list for the next one. There is no fee to attend.